Telecom firms continue to look for new ways to attract more subscribers to their networks as competition in the local market becomes cutthroat. Airtel joined the bandwagon, unveiling a new promotion where pre-paid subscribers will benefit from a 500 per cent bonus airtime when topped up their accounts using Airtel money.

According to Singh Indrajeet, the airtel commercial director, the bonus airtime will only be used for on-net calls. "We are committed to providing subscribers unmatched and different products and services, to meet their needs,” Indrajeet. He added that the promotion aimed at thanking Airtel subscribers for their loyalty. The promotion is another testimony that the company is committed to empowering subscribers with innovative and exclusive offerings, helping them achieve their financial goals through reduced operational costs for businesses and individuals, Indrajeet said.

Airtel, the last entrant into the local telecom market, has been gaining customers over the whole of this year. Its active subscribers increased to over 1.723 million in April up from 1.676 million subscribers in March. MTN and Tigo customers dropped over the same period, but MTN is still the market leader with 3.984 million, while Tigo has 3.095 million subscribers, according to Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority statistics for April.

Over 8.8 million Rwandan people have access to phones, indicating that78.2 per cent penetration rate.